Garment support



June 21, 1966 A. PANEPINTO 3,256,529

GARMENT SUPPORT Filed March 28, 1961 INVENTOR ANTHONY PAN EPI NTO ATTORNEY 3,256,529 GARMENT SUPPORT Anthony Panepinto, 787 Bnsti Ave., Buffalo, N.Y. Filed Mar. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 98,915 5 Claims. (Cl. 2301) This invention relates to novel garment supporting means. The inventive concept of this invention resides in a novel and unique support arrangement providing in thesame garment support a pair of suspenders and two waist belts. This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 43,915, filed July 19, 1960, now Patent No. 3,052,891 which is a continuationin-part of parent application Serial No. 805,227, filed in the US. Patent Oifice April 9, 1959, now Patent No. 2,975, 431.

In Patent No. 2,975,431 a supporting means convertible from a pair of suspenders to two waist belts was disclosed.

The present invention provides a similar support having therein novel arrangements. The support comprises in combination two shoulder straps, a removable strap retaining means for retaining said straps in position, and clasp members positioned at each end of each of said straps. While in Patent No. 2,975,431 the buckle portion of the belt is formed by two clasps having portions extending beyond the jaw portion of said clasp, this invention provides novel modified arrangements fiorrning the belt buckle.

In one modification of this invention on one end of a strap hook means are positioned on the ring portion that connects a removable clasp member to the strap portion. The opposite end has a ring portion without hook means. The end having the hook is adapted to connect on to the opposite ring portion without the hook. The hooks may be positioned on a center connecting piece if desired; in this construction the end rings would be adapted to receive the hook portions in such a manner that buckle-like connectionsare formed. These structures will be more specifically defined in relation to the accompanying drawings as will the below defined structures.

In a second modification, the clasps may have a crimped portion at one end portion and at the opposite end clasp portion a male counterpart which fits into and locks in said crimped portion.

In a third modification the first clasp member has a loop or opening whereas the opposite clasp member has a swivel hook means similar to a cuff-link stem hook portion. The swivel hook portion is adapted to fit into and lock with the opposite end clasp loop or opening structure. This same concept may be a two or more locking means structure. In other words, two or more swivel hook portions may be positioned on one clasp member and two or more receiving loop members may be positioned on the opposite clasp member.

A further modification has positioned on the upper face of the clasp members slide panel portions which are slidable beyond the forward edge of the clasp. Any type of connecting means may be used on these slide panel portions.

Other modifications that may be used as connecting means are spring lock means, hook-loop means, T-shaped hook and opening means, double crimp means, magnet means, double-loop means, snap means, sliding bolt locking means, hook-slot means, tie cord means, conventional belt buckle means, clamping means, lacing means, groove and prong means, and slip-clasping means similar to a tie clasp means. All these above connecting .means are utilized when the separate or individual straps are used as belts. Also, it should be understood that the clasps of this invention may be disassembled when used as a belt means leaving the end strap ring or the top lever por- United States Patent 0 ice It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a garment support that is adapted to be utilized as a pair of suspenders or as two waist belts.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a suspender clasp utilizable as both a suspender clasp means and a belt buckle means.

A further object is to provide a pair of suspenders having a removable back-strap retaining means.

Other important objects will become apparent upon a further reading of this disclosure.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. ing illustrates and is not meant to limit the invention herein disclosed.

FIGURE I illustrates in perspective a close-up view of one modification of a clasp according to the invention.

FIGURE II is a perspective view of a slide panel modification of this invention. In this figure as in the following figures only the connecting means of the clasps are illustrated.

FIGURE III is a perspective view of a swivel bolt-loop modification.

FIGURE IV is a perspective view of a spring lock structure of a connecting means of this invention.

FIGURE V is a perspective view of a double-hook type connecting means of this invention.

FIGURE V1 is a perspective view of a T-shaped hookloop connecting means of this invention.

FIGURE VII is a perspective view of a crimped connecting means of this invention.

FIGURE VIII is a perspective view of a magnet-type connector of this invention.

FIGURE IX is a perspective view of a double-loop locking connector of this invention.

FIGURE X is a perspective view of a slide bolt connector of this invention.

FIGURE XI is a perspective View of a snap connector of this invention.

FIGURE XII illustrates a pair of suspenders having thereon the novel suspender clasps of this invention.

Referring to FIGURE XIII, straps 1 of suspender means have postioned on their opposite ends clasps 3 and 4. Any type of suspender clasp may be used together with the connecting .means of this invention. Back structure 6 retains the straps 1 in position when the garment support is used as a pair of suspenders. To remove the structure 6 straps 1 are merely slipped through slits 2 of structure 6. When structure 6 is removed there remain two straps each having positioned thereon clasp-s 3 and 4. Each of these straps is then adapted to be used as a waist belt when means are provided on clasps 3 and 4 allowing them to lock with each other. Clasp 3 and clasp 4 include means adapted to allow clasp 3 to be locked with or connected to clasp 4.

In FIGURE I the clasps 3 and 4, which are substantially identical, are shown as provided with connecting means components 8 and 9, respectively,- which are detachably assembled with the clasps on the pins 9a. The component 8 comprises a continuous flange portion 10 depending from the outer end of the fiat face portion 11 It is to be understood, however, that the draw-- of the component along the entire end thereof. The flange portion is adapted to fit into and lock with a depending crimped flange portion 12 that depends from the proximate end of the fiat face portion 11 of the component 9 to form a belt buckle. Ring loops 7 connect the connecting components 8 and 9 and clasps 3 and 4 to the strap 1. These loops 7 may have a swivel portion in place of connectors 13 whereby clasps 3 and 4 can revolve with respect to loops 7. Also, loops 7 may be removable by any means if desired. Upper jaw portions 14 and lower jaw portions 15 of the clasps may, if desired, have teeth for gripping purposes. It is, however, to be understood that clasps without teeth are within this invention.

FIGURE II shows a connecting means that can be used in place of connecting means 14) and 12 illustrated in FIGURE 1. On fiat face portions 11 are positioned channels 16 in which slide panels 17 and 18 are movably positioned. Any suitable type of connecting means may be used on the end portions of slide panels 17 and 18; illustrated herein are hook 19 and loop 20 means, but it should be mentioned that any connecting means on a slidetype arrangement is within the spirit of this invention.

FIGURE III illustrates connecting means having on clasp 3 double loops 21 extending downwardly from flat surface structure 11. On the opposite clasp 4 are positioned swivel hooks 22, 23 which fit into loops 21 locking clasp 3 t0 clasp 4. Single loop and swivel structures may be used as may a plurality of loop and swivel structures. Swivel barrels 22, 23 are rotated to a vertical position where they will fit into loops 21 and are then returned to the horizontal position as shown in the drawing. The barrels 22, 23 will then be locked in a position within the loops 21.

FIGURE IV illustrates a portion of clasps 3 and 4 having connecting means therein. The connecting means of this modification comprises fiat face structures 11 having on their end portions locking means. The locking means of clasp 3 comprises a crimped or channeled portion 24 and an extending portion 25 which is positioned on the same plane as structure 11. Mating clasp 4 has two spring locks 26 which spring lock in channel 24 when in a closed position.

FIGURE V illustrates a connecting means wherein both clasps 3 and 4 have projecting hooks which lock with each other. Downwardly extending hooks 27 receive and lock with L-shaped hooks 28. The hooks, however, may be arranged in any desired position; the downward extending and L-shaped hooks are shown merely as a pre- A ferred embodiment of this modification.

FIGURE VI shows a T-shaped hook member 29 which fits into open slot member 30 and locks clasp 3 to clasp 4. T-shaped hook 29 may have a step like side configuration if desired. This will allow T-shaped hook 29 to fit into slot 39 and assume a locked position on a plane lower than the horizontal plane of slot 30.

FIGURE VII shows a modification similar to that illustrated in FIGURE 1; the difference being in the number of bends or planes in the structure. Crimped structure 31 fits and locks into channel portion 32 of clasp 4.

FIGURE VIII illustrates clasps 3 and 4 having as their connecting means magnets 33 and 34. Any type or configuration of magnet means may be used.

FIGURE IX shows a double loop type connecting means wherein loop portion 35 fits into the larger area 36 of the mating loop and is pulled into a locked position at restricted portion or area 37.

FIGURE X illustrates a. connecting means comprising a movable rod or bolt 38 which fits into hollow cylinder means 39 to lock clasp 3 to clasp 4. Cylinder means 39 is open at end portions 40 to allow rod 38 to be inserted therein. The length of cylinder 39 is somewhat shorter than the distance between end caps 41 thereby allowing the cylinder 39 to fit into the area defined by the distance between caps 41.

FIGURE XI illustrates connecting means comprising conventional snap means 42 positioned on extending tabs 43. Snap 42 fits into and locks with mating snap means 44.

Although all of the above defined connecting means have been defined as extending out from and beyond the clasp member, it is within the scope of this invention to locate all of the above connecting means in any position on said clasp members.

It should be mentioned that any type of removable strap retaining means 6 can be used without departing from the spirit of this invention. The type herein illustrated is preferred since it allows the straps 1 to be adjusted by use of adjusters 5 without any obstruction.

The herein described and illustrated embodiments of the invention have given satisfactory results, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after an understanding of the invention, that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended that all matters contained in the above description or shown in the drawing, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A garment support usable as suspenders adapted to be converted into two waist belts comprising in combination: two shoulder straps, means engaging said straps intermediate their ends for retaining said straps in position when they are used as suspenders, and a clasp provided at each end of each of said straps, each of said claps comprising clamping members having relatively movable elements and a separate connecting member on at least one of said straps, the connecting member on one of said clasps extending beyond said clamping members and having a depending flange and the connecting member on the other of said clasps extending beyond said clamping members and having a depending, crimped channel portion adapted to receive said flange whereby the ends of said strap are secured together by interengagement of of two connecting members distinct from said clamping members.

2. A garment support as set forth in claim 1 in which said clamping members are removable from at least one of said clasps.

3. A garment support as set forth in claim 1 in which said flange and said crimped channel portion are continuous and extend along the entire end portions of the respective connecting members.

4. A garment support as set forth in claim 1 in which said clamping members are removable from at least one of said clasps on each of said straps.

5. A garment support as set forth in claim 1 in which on each of said straps said flange and said crimped channel portion are continuous and extend along the entire end portions of the respective connecting members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 297,264 4/1884 Hunt 24-20 569,213 10/1896 Lehnig 24201 2,030,563 2/1936 Barnes 24-201 2,777,134 1/1957 Kaufman 2301 2,975,431 3/1961 'Panepinto 2301 3,052,891 9/1962 Panepinto 230l JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOSKY, Examiner.

S. G. LAYTON, M. J. COLITZ, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A GARMENT SUPPORT USABLE AS SUSPENDERS ADAPTED TO BE CONVERTED INTO TWO WAIST BELTS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: TWO SHOULDER STRAPS, MEANS ENGAGING SAID STRAPS INTERMINATE THEIR ENDS FOR RETAINING SAID STRAPS IN POSITION WHEN THEY ARE USED AS SUSPENDERS, AND A CLASP PROVIDED AT EACH END OF EACH OF SAID STRAPS, EACH OF SAID CLAPS COMPRISING CLAMPING MEMBERS HAVING RELATIVELY MOVABLE ELEMENTS AND A SEPARATE CONNECTING MEMBER ON AT LEAST ONE OF SAID STRAPS, THE CONNECTING MEMBER ON ONE OF SAID CLASPS EXTENDING BEYOND SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS AND HAVING A DEPENDING FLANGE AND THE CONNECTING MEMBER ON THE OTHER OF SAID CLASPS EXTENDING BEYOND SAID CLAMPING MEMBER AND HAVING A DEPENDING, CRIMPED CHANNEL PORTION ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID FLANGE WHEREBY THE ENDS OF SAID STRAP ARE SECURED TOGETHER BY INTERENGAGEMENT OF OF TWO CONNECTING MEMBERS DISTINCT FROM SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS. 